Famed eventer Theodore O’Connor might have been small of stature, but the 14.1-hand Thoroughbred/Arabian/Shetland-cross eventing pony certainly had an outsized impact. Bred by Wynn Norman and owned by the Theodore O’Connor Syndicate, “Teddy” was an unexpected star who set the eventing world on fire with multi-time Olympic, Pan American, and World Equestrian Games veteran, Karen O’Connor. She began riding him in 2005 after young rider Christan Trainor competed him from training level to advanced.
This year, 10 years after his death, a commemorative plaque dedicated to “The People’s Pony” will be unveiled at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, before the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event’s cross-country phase begins. The memorial will lie under a tree by the Head of the Lake, near the Equestrian Events, Inc. offices. Karen O’Connor will offer a few words about her partner at the ceremony.
Teddy’s success at eventing’s highest levels of competition opened fans’ eyes, hearts, and minds to what is possible and earned the “pint-sized prodigy” fans (and mainstream media coverage) worldwide. As the memorial plaque notes, Teddy’s remarkable jumping ability was only eclipsed by the size of his heart.
In 2007, Teddy and O’Connor won The Fork CIC3*. Soon after, they entered the Kentucky CCI4*, where Teddy was the first pony ever to compete. Defying the odds, and seemingly the laws of physics, Teddy and O’Connor tackled each phase with tremendous ease for a third-place finish in a field of 42 entries. A feat made even more impressive by the fact that they drew number one in the order. The pair went on to compete for the U.S. at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, bringing home both team and individual gold. Teddy ended the year as the United States Equestrian Federation’s Horse of the Year He returned to the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2008 (again drawing number one), and finished sixth as the only pony in history with two top-six CCI4* finishes. He and O’Connor were later named to the eventing short list for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Teddy’s passing. In 2008, he suffered an injury in an accident at home and was put down at the age of 13.
This unlikely equine juggernaut continues to inspire an adoring public of equestrians and non-equestrians alike, reminding us never to limit ourselves to what other people may expect of us.
Spectators are encouraged to attend this special dedication.